Silene vulgaris

Silene vulgaris, called common catchfly or bladder campion, is very common in fallow lands, on the edge of roads and in other disturbed places. It is immediately recognizable when in bloom with numerous small, curiously swollen, white flowers, finely veined with reddish-brown and visited by many butterflies. This catchfly fits well in wild flower gardens, in beds or a large border. This very hardy and perfectly accommodating charming "weed" self-sows spontaneously and adapts to all climates.

Silene vulgaris belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a wild plant found in the entire Mediterranean basin, especially on limestone soils. The growth of this perennial is quite fast and its mature size will be about 70 cm (28in) high and 25 cm (10in) wide. It develops a woody, slightly suckering crown and roots that penetrate to 1 m (3ft) deep into the soil. Several upright stems emerge from the crown in spring, adorned with ovate to lanceolate, slightly hairy leaves with a slightly rubbery texture and bluish-green colour. The base leaves can reach 12 cm (5in) long. The abundant and prolonged flowering takes place between April-May and August-September, depending on the climate. The inflorescence which develops at the top of the stems is composed of 3 to 20 flowers. Each flower is about 1.5 cm (1in) long and consists of a swollen tube shaped like a bladder that opens into 5 star-shaped lobes. The flowers are white with fine, reddish-pink veins. The fruit is a capsule measuring up to 1.4 cm (1in) long, hidden in the swelling formed by the fused sepals that remain after flowering. The above-ground, deciduous vegetation dries up in autumn.

Silene vulgaris is easy to grow as it has excellent cold resistance and tolerates summer drought, once deeply rooted. There are plenty of choices for associations, in a large country-style bed, a flowery meadow or an English-style mixed border. Its bucolic flowering is perfectly enhanced by the wild charm of grasses, the blue of Perovskias or the red of its American cousin, Silene regia. Asters that bloom in summer will also be very nice companions, as well as echinaceas, thistles or perennial sunflowers, such as Helianthus salicifolius.

For cooking: the flowers and leaves are edible. The leaves have a flavour similar to peas. The young leaves are slightly sweet. They can be used in salads, soups, and gratins. Infusions can also be made with bladder campion.